The most wonderful time of the year...

• Christmas: 25th December
• New Year: 1st January

These celebrations are only about a week apart.

Both celebrations bring hope for a new beginning.

Every new year brings with it a "out with the old, in with the new" kind of feeling. Last year's mistakes are forgotten and (hopefully) forgiven, and we all agree to start afresh.

Thing is, human forgiveness is so temporal somehow... more emotionally-driven. We may forgive today... and conveniently forget about it the next day, and it all comes back again, and there you go, one big roller-coaster...

God knew we needed forgiveness from the very start. Not the "now-I-feel-it-now-I-don't" type. Much rather, the "ONCE AND FOR ALL" kind. Something supernatural and of divine nature.

So He sent His Son Jesus Christ.

Jesus' birth was the beginning of God's plan to save mankind from its own sin and wretchedness. By believing in Him - first in His birth and then His death on the cross, we have hope for a new life... here on earth, and eternally with our Heavenly Father. That's why we celebrate Christmas with so much joy... so much gratitude.

Thank You, God, for the very first Christmas; for every Christmas.
Thank You, God, for hope everlasting in You.
To You be all power, honour, and glory, forever and ever.
Amen.